The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-08-25

construction.
A cast iron dome is to a great extent an !
experiment, even in cooler climates than /
this, and can find no account anywhere,
of dome of this magnitude, where SO ,
much cast iron is used.
There are, however, several domes upon !
which q large amount of galvanized irUn |,
is used, and believe it will be we'll to sub !
stitute galvanized iron for that portion of |
the dome from the top of the colonnade
columns to where it meets with the gall
vanized iron, already called fer by the
original specifications.
The cast iron To be removed is the cell !
ing and cornice of the colonnade and q
portion of the shell surrounding the brick |
work of the dome. 1t weighs about 100
tons, and think the substitution of gal
vanized iron for it will considerably lessen
the weight of that portion of the dome, it
will look as well, last as long, Yemove,
partially at least, the danger
from the weight of the dome, and would
therefore recommend the change.
Respectfully, R. A. BARRETT,
Manager Iron Industries, Rusk Peniten-
tiary.
The capitol commissioners and Gen,
R. l.. Walker, supervising architect, hav-
ing been previously requested by the
board to give their views of this matter,
also submitted reports.
General Walker submitted a very full
and clear report, recommending the sub
stitution of galvanized iron in place of
cast iron for the exterior of the DOME and
stating that he would have recommended
this change long ago had he not obser ed
an indisposition on the part of the
board to make any further
changes in the plans of the
building. He concurred fully
with Mr.. Barrett, the states expert at
Rusk, whose report he had read. He also
stated that i'll the original plans for the
construction of this dome large portion
of it, especially the most exposed parts,
are 20 be made of galvanized iron, and he
could see no reason why the designing
architect had put on the additional enor-
nous weight of cast iron, which was en-
tirely superhuous; that over 100 tons
would be taken off this weight if galvan-
lied iron were substituted for the cast
iron, which would greatly improve the
safety of the dome. Also, that in making
this change the difference in cost could
be accurately calculated between
the two materials, and proper
credit allowed the state therefor.
The capitol commissioners CONQUERED in
the reports of General Walker and Mr..
Barrett, and stated that they regretted
that galvanized iron, with the proper
specifications, could not be substituted
for all the cast iron shell work of the
dome, thereby relieving the foundation of
the dome of over 500 tons of weight. That
the cast iron was purely ornamental, and
served in no respect as a support to the
construction of the dome. That the gal
vanized iron was just rs durable
and if it were substituted
for all the cast iron, it would
not weigh more than thirty tons, and that
they were in favor of all the cast iron of
the dome being changed to galvanized
iron, AS it did not materially alter the
general appearance and durability of the
DOME
After considering all these reports in
detail, and discussing the entire matter in
all its bearings, the capitol board unani-
mously decided to change the exterior
superstructure of the dome from cast
, iron to galvanized iron, the reports of all
the officers in charge of the matter show
ing that the change benefited the
dome of the building, took off an
enormous weight that rendered it unsafe,
that the material to be used was just as
, durable and looked just as we'll as the
material dispensed with, that it would be
saving to the state of several thousand
dollars that could be used for some
needed improvement in the finishing up
! of the building, such as gas jets, chan
! deliers or electric lighting, which the
present contractor does not have to sup
ply, and finally it relieved the penitentiary
authorities of a contract which, if they
had to sub let in order to carry out, would
cost them thousands of dollars, and al
3 together it is about the best change ever
Il made in the construction of the new cap
y itol.
:, The secretary was directed to prepare
supplemental contract in the usua
: form embodyisg this change and to sub
9 NIT same to the encouragement ant
i other members of the board for approva
Z and signing.
u [From Wednesdays Daily
Governor Ross, after taking the mattel
y under advisement, approved the action O.
10 Judge Kelso in refusing to extradite tn,
! Mexican editor, CARA. The governo
= sustains the legal position assumed b.
. Kelso.
% There are great many applicants TO
:. seats in the commission Of appeals. Gov
. ernor Ross has given no intimation as Il
- whom he will appoint
- A letter was written by Francis Gran
ger to Land Commissioner Hall, asking
- the effect of chapter SO, page SO, of tn
:, laws of 1887, and whether chap
x, 20 ter 81, laws of 1888, reservinI
"a minerals on school lands to the state
- still in force, and whether there is an
~ conflict between the act of 1883, reservin
- minerals to the state, and section Z, articl
" IA, of the state constitution. The a.
. torney-general, to whom Changers lette
y was referred, in substance holds ths
chapter 80, of act of 1887, repeals chapte
.. SO, of law of 1888, creating the land boart
~ but that the mineral reservation is in n
10 way affected, that part of the law in r.
lation to minerals being independent, an
minerals on school lands cannot be dii
posed of without further legislation. TIL
n encouragement says Changers secon
Ill question is matter for the courts b
ai determine.
The treasury ia now paying. school wal
IN rants up to, and including, registere
10 number go.
le The supplemental contract emb-acin
II. the change from cast iron to galvanize